Sales Season

Many of the horses may be on their holidays, but there is still plenty to keep us busy around the yard at Pond House.  The empty stables will need steam cleaning and disinfecting before they are used once again, whilst general housekeeping duties still need to be adhered to to keep the place up to scratch.  We still have some horses to run over the summer months and with the sales taking place, there is little let-up in the pace.

Although we didn’t get on the scoresheet last week, the horses continued to run well on the whole with the likes of Gwencily Berbas and Miss M doing more than enough to suggest that they will be winning races before too long, whilst Panic Attack bounced back to form, finishing second under topweight.

Gwencily Berbas was making his debut for the stable at Ffos Las last Monday on his first start since September.  A former high-class hurdler, he had been plying his trade over fences and in point-to-points in Ireland.  He showed that he retains plenty of his old ability when a staying-on third in the 3m handicap chase.  He is entitled to come on for this outing and should be capable of winning something similar.

Miss M looked all over the winner of the 2m3f mares’ handicap hurdle at Fontwell on Thursday, but patently failed to quite see out this longer trip, losing four places on the run-in having led at the last.  She jumped and travelled beautifully, suggesting that she should have little trouble winning again over hurdles dropped back in distance.

By contrast, Panic Attack stuck-on very well over the longer trip of 2m4f to almost land the mares’ handicap hurdle at Aintree on Friday night.  She was doing all her best work in the closing stages and in a few more strides would have won rather than finish runner-up, beaten only half a length.  She remains considerably higher in the weights than when successful at Newbury, but she is obviously likes a flat track and decent ground.  With her proving her effectiveness over further, it opens up a few more opportunities for her and she will be winning more races.

Above: Panic Attack ran a good second at Aintree on Friday evening

New Talent

As you are no doubt aware, we are always on the lookout for new talent and we cast our nets far and wide in the search for the next equine jumping stars.  The team are constantly looking through the sales catalogues and selling or claiming contests over here, in Ireland or France.  Last week I was pleased to claim Koi Dodville from a race at Saint Cloud in France.  The winner of a flat handicap, he comes from a source we have done very well from and I am looking forward to learning more about him and he looks a nice sort for juvenile hurdles this season.  Whilst you cannot always be lucky, the French claiming races give a good opportunity to acquire a potentially exciting horse without the usual massive capital outlay…think Adagio last season.

The Doncaster Sales get underway this week and I will be spending a couple of days up there.  This will be the first time I have been to the auctions since the Covid pandemic started so I am excited and a little apprehensive to be attending.  The online auctions have been great and whilst the horses offered at those sales had veterinary certificates, nothing quite replaces being able to see the lots first hand so you can draw your own conclusions.

These are the sales at which I purchased Main Fact for only £6,000 and I will be doing my best to find another potential bargain.  As I said, you cannot always be lucky, but with enough hard work you can take a lot of the guesswork out of your selections and we have found more than our share of ‘diamonds in the rough’.  If you would like to become an owner yourself, do get in touch, we have some nice horses at Pond House currently for sale and I hope to be able to add to those this week.  I can also buy to order, so call 01884 840715 if you would like a no-obligation chat about your requirements or drop me a line to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

The Week Ahead

Looking to this week’s runners and we kick off with Elan de Balme in the 3m handicap chase at Ffos Las at 3.30pm this afternoon.  He disappointed on his seasonal reappearance at Hexham following a break but had previously looked progressive, finishing in the frame at Ffos Las and Hereford.  A repeat of those earlier efforts would give him a squeak with Fergus Gillard taking a valuable 5lbs off his back.

Lady Reset runs at Huntingdon tomorrow.  She has been a bit disappointing of late, although she is now back on the same mark as when a narrow runner-up at Stratford last season.  The sharp track should suit and she could go well under Tom Scudamore.

Wednesday is a blank day but we have a few entries at Market Rasen on Thursday, including Awesomedude who is engaged in the novices’ hurdle.  He was most progressive on the flat, winning his last five races and he has pleased me with his schooling at home.  He is one I am looking forward to seeing this summer.

Windsor flat winner Ranco is entered in the handicap hurdle on the card and should appreciate this relatively easy track.  Hopefully he can maintain his improvement from the flat whilst the better ground should suit reverting to timber.

Meep Meep Mag produced a promising effort when fourth at Worcester on her seasonal reappearance and she could return to the same track for the novices’ hurdle.  She is a lovely mare with a terrific attitude and she is entitled to have come on for that outing.  A Perfect Gift is our other entry at Worcester on Friday and she could make her debut for the stable in the 2m4f mares’ handicap hurdle.  She has pleased me at home and I am looking forward to seeing how she gets on.

As usual, for all the latest details on stable runners, do keep up to date with our daily news of follow us on Twitter @DavidPipeRacing.